2016
A warm and steady vintage across much of the wine world, 2016 flew under the radar but quietly delivered balanced, long-lived wines with finesse. The year's moderate conditions favored classic structure over flashy power.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🌎 Paris Agreement on climate change officially adopted
🇺🇸 Donald Trump elected U.S. President
📱 Pokémon Go ignites global AR gaming craze
🎭 Hamilton wins 11 Tony Awards, reshaping Broadway
👩🔬 CRISPR gene editing makes major scientific leaps
💔 Brexit referendum: UK votes to leave EU
🎬 La La Land becomes a global cinema sensation
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry summer with rain at perfect times
Challenges/Highlights: Uneven flowering, but ideal ripening for Cabernet Sauvignon
Harvest Window: Late September to mid-October
Reception & Scores: Widely praised as one of the best of the decade
Aging Potential: Excellent – structured reds built for long cellaring
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 72–83°F (22–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Devastating spring frost; late but dry summer recovery
Challenges/Highlights: Severe frost damage reduced yields dramatically
Harvest Window: Mid to late September
Reception & Scores: Small quantities, but top domaines made refined, age-worthy wines
Aging Potential: Moderate to long – elegant and precise
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot, dry, and ideal for full ripeness
Challenges/Highlights: Near-perfect vintage in the Southern Rhône
Harvest Window: Early to mid-September
Reception & Scores: Châteauneuf-du-Pape especially lauded; dense and generous wines
Aging Potential: Long – powerful yet balanced
🇫🇷 Champagne (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 68–77°F (20–25°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Wet spring, sun-drenched August
Challenges/Highlights: Mildew pressure early; rescued by late-season sun
Harvest Window: Mid-September
Reception & Scores: Mixed, but vintage Champagne releases are promising
Aging Potential: Medium – aromatic whites with moderate structure
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Long, cool growing season
Challenges/Highlights: Near-perfect for Nebbiolo
Harvest Window: Mid to late October
Reception & Scores: Exceptional – one of the greatest Barolo vintages
Aging Potential: Outstanding – classic, long-lived wines
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm and dry with excellent diurnal range
Challenges/Highlights: Even ripening and ideal Sangiovese conditions
Harvest Window: Mid-September to early October
Reception & Scores: Highly praised; structured and aromatic wines
Aging Potential: Long – serious aging potential for top cuvées
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild spring, dry summer, cool harvest
Challenges/Highlights: Low disease pressure; great Tempranillo concentration
Harvest Window: September to early October
Reception & Scores: Refined, classic expressions with freshness
Aging Potential: Medium to long – elegant and balanced
🇩🇪 Mosel (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 70–80°F (21–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Wet early, but golden autumn saved the vintage
Challenges/Highlights: Botrytis developed late, ideal for sweet wines
Harvest Window: September to November
Reception & Scores: Silky, charming Rieslings with tension and fruit
Aging Potential: Medium to long – especially for Kabinett and Spätlese
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 85–95°F (29–35°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Long, moderate season with no heat spikes
Challenges/Highlights: Steady ripening = great balance and polish
Harvest Window: August through October
Reception & Scores: Excellent vintage – ripe yet structured Cabs
Aging Potential: Long – plush, layered, and cellar-worthy
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 78–90°F (25–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Mild winter, dry summer, cool nights
Challenges/Highlights: Even ripening across Pinot, Chard, Zin
Harvest Window: Late August to early October
Reception & Scores: Very good – vibrant, expressive, and site-specific
Aging Potential: Moderate – focused and fruit-driven
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Early budbreak, warm summer, balanced finish
Challenges/Highlights: Large crop; needed cluster thinning
Harvest Window: Late August through September
Reception & Scores: Ripe but fresh – generous Pinot with acid and flair
Aging Potential: Medium – expressive now, with 5–10 years of grace
🇺🇸 Washington State (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 80–92°F (27–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot start, but cool September balanced ripening
Challenges/Highlights: Early veraison but hang time extended
Harvest Window: August through October
Reception & Scores: Excellent – dark, powerful reds with polish
Aging Potential: Long – Cabernet, Syrah, and Merlot all strong
🇦🇺 Barossa Valley & Margaret River (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Barossa ⎯ Hot Continental | 88–98°F (31–37°C) avg daytime highs
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Margaret River ⎯Mediterranean | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry, low-yielding
Challenges/Highlights: Intense flavors; drought pressure in some zones
Harvest Window: February to April
Reception & Scores: Concentrated, bold reds and rich whites
Aging Potential: Moderate to long – depending on producer
🇿🇦 South Africa (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Western Cape ⎯Mediterranean | 80–90°F (27–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Second year of drought; low yields
Challenges/Highlights: Tiny crops; intense concentration
Harvest Window: January to March
Reception & Scores: Highly structured reds; tight whites
Aging Potential: Medium – very site-driven results
🇦🇷 Argentina - Mendoza (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 77–88°F (25–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool and rainy
Challenges/Highlights: Disease pressure reduced yields by up to 40%
Harvest Window: Late March to mid-April
Reception & Scores: Mixed – elegant but lighter reds
Aging Potential: Short to medium – early drinking vintage
🇨🇱 Chile - Maipo Valley & Casablanca (2016)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highsWeather Summary: Cool and extended season
Challenges/Highlights: Slow ripening = fresh acidity
Harvest Window: March to May
Reception & Scores: Excellent for whites and coastal reds
Aging Potential: Medium – bright, refreshing styles
